Country shows in Cowra, Gundagai and Woodstock are coming back bigger than ever in 2022, thanks to NSW Government support through the Country Shows Support Package.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the Country Shows Support Package has delivered funding for three shows in the Cootamundra electorate including $30,000 for the 2022 Cowra Spring Show, $27,919 for the 2022 Gundagai Show and $30,000 for the 2022 Woodstock Memorial Show.
“These grants will provide certainty to show organisers to lock in suppliers, hire equipment and purchase goods, which is also great news for local businesses,” Ms Cooke said.
“Our local shows are a fantastic tradition and this grant will ensure they continue to delight people and be a part of our history for many generations to come.”
“I encourage everyone to get behind their local show and see all the amazing things they have to offer” Ms Cooke said.
“From best grown squash, to wood chopping, petting zoos and watching which dog takes out best in show, there is something for everyone at our country and agricultural shows and it is something the whole family can enjoy together”
“Just recently I attended the 2022 Gundagai show to help out as I have done for the past five years, and it was absolutely amazing seeing so many people enjoying what the show had to offer.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $5 million Country Shows Support Package provides a funding opportunity for the 190 agricultural shows that are planned across NSW in 2022.
“It’s been a tough few years for country shows, with drought, bushfires, storms, floods and COVID-19 disrupting plans, but as they say, the show must go on and these grants are helping make that happen,” Mr Toole said.
“Country shows are the heartbeat of so many rural communities – they not only celebrate the best of the best in the community but allow visitors to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the bush.
“It’s also a big win for competitors who have spent years perfecting events like wood-chopping, show jumping or baking, as they can now focus on earning the points needed to compete at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.”
The $5 million Country Shows Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, which will deliver long term support and certainty for the regions as the state reopens.
Applications are open until Friday, 29 April 2022, or when funding is exhausted. For further information, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/CountryShows.
The community of Woodstock will further benefit from NSW Government funding with the Woodstock and District Progress Association successfully applying to the latest round of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed $36,213 funding for the installation of shade and seating at Woodstock’s Lions Park.
“I know this is a project the Woodstock and District Progress Association has been looking to tick-off for some time, so I am delighted they have been successful under this program,” Ms Cooke said.
Ms Cooke said this project will be a great addition to the numerous projects in Woodstock that have benefited from NSW Government funding in recent times, including:
- $10,000 for the Woodstock Memorial Show Society under the 2020 Regional Event Fund;
- $6,229 (under Round 1) and $70,502 (under Round 2b) for upgrades at Woodstock Showground under Showground Stimulus;
- $2,040 for Honour Roll and lighting at Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Hall under the Community War Memorial Fund; and
- $26,000 for footpaths at the Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Park under the 2020/21 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund;
“It was fantastic to have visited the village again only recently to hear more about how these projects are progressing,” Ms Cooke said.
“I recognise the hard work of the Progress Association and the community more broadly in pursuing these grants in the interests of boosting village spirit, participation and visitation.”
The $12.5 million annual Infrastructure Grants program aims to fund projects to build or upgrade community facilities, and the latest round was one the largest yet in a response to weather events including drought, floods and bushfires, as well as the impact we have seen through COVID.
The program is made possible by Clubgrants Category 3, a fund which re-invests profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects. Applications for the next round of funding open on Monday, 5 July 2021. To find out more information or to apply, please visit responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au